The Chicago Bears’ first-round draft pick in 1951, Gene Schroeder, has passed away at the age of 95.
Schroeder, the oldest NFL and Chicago Bears former player died of natural causes on Tuesday in St. John, Indiana, his daughter Carole Schroeder confirmed.
‘He was just somebody who really loved his family, loved his life, loved his career,’ Carole told the Chicago Sun-Times. ‘He really appreciated all the time we had with him.’
‘I think of him as just a very accomplished person,’ she added.
The Bears selected Schroeder with the 12th overall pick in the 1951 NFL Draft before he led the team with 461 receiving yards as a rookie. The Virginia product doubled as a wide receiver and safety during his time in the Windy City.
Schroeder was born in Washington, DC on March 3, 1929, and grew up around the US Capital before heading to Virginia for college.
Chicago Bears legend Gene Schroeder died of natural causes in Indiana at the age of 95
The Bears selected Schroeder, a two-way player, with the 12th pick in the 1951 NFL Draft
In his sophomore season with the Bears, Schroeder had an even better campaign before missing his third year and part of 1954 to serve in the Navy. While serving his country, Schroeder suffered a major Achilles tendon injury that affected the rest of his career.
Schroeder wrapped up his NFL career in 1957 with a single Pro Bowl appearance.
In a 2024 interview with the Sun-Times, Schroeder said he was ‘bitten by the football bug really, really early,’ and sat on his father’s lap to listen to broadcasts over the radio when he wasn’t playing out on the street.
He also admitted loathing the team he would later represent in the NFL.
‘I hated the Bears. They always beat my Redskins,’ he said.
Schroeder graduated from the University of Virginia in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce. After getting drafted by the Bears, he grew close to head coach and chief George Halas.
The former Cavalier recalled how Halas helped him during his year-long stint in the Navy with a $2,500 advance on his contract and a new set of tires for his car. Halas also helped Schroeder land a job in the steel industry.
‘Coach Halas was wonderful to play for and never raised his voice,’ Schroeder said. ‘He was like a father to me.’
Schroeder married his wife Doris in 1952 and had three daughters, Nancy, Gail, and Carole.
After retiring from football, he worked for the Olin Mathieson Corporation’s sales, management, and marketing departments for 17 years. He also co-founded his own aluminum alloy business, Trialco Inc., in Chicago Heights and served as its president before retiring in 2005.
